Fitter's Product Notes
Prairie Wear product description …Medium to High Compression…Low Coverage…High Comfort Index…Sports and active recovery support bra…Everyday active use bra…high-impact sports bra…’
Is it a Post-Surgery or Post-Surgery Compression Bra?
When looking for a post-surgery bra, you’re likely to see two seemingly similar bra descriptions.
Knowing the difference can save you from the I’m in so much pain, is it really my bra post op outcome we often see.
Post-surgery bra They may be called a post-op bra, surgical bra or recovery bra, but we believe they’re better thought of as a comfort bra because they won’t provide the support needed after most breast surgeries.
Post-surgery compression bra What a difference the word compression makes! Sometimes called post operative or surgical compression bras, these bras are made from the higher compression elasticised material to provide the firm and even support needed to hold the breast shape, help with swelling and bruising, and reduce tension on tender incisions when moving about.
Choosing the Right Bra
In the Fitting Room we check the type of breast surgery and surgeon to ensure you’re fitted in the post-op compression bra your surgeon prefers.
Measuring comes next because we know that the size of the Prairie Wear Hugger Luma differs from fashion bra sizing. Discussion then turns to bra style. Does the surgeon prefer a front fastening zip or clips? Do they prefer a lower cleavage or higher cleavage longline bra shape? Will the strap adjustment and the other parts of the bra suit your torso length? And then, which colour?
To give you a better way to choose a post-operative compression bra with the shape and parts for your surgery, we put each of our bras on a mannequin, made side-by-side comparisons, then rated the outcomes. The shape and parts ratings for the Prairie Wear Hugger Luma are described below.
To aid your choice we cropped our product images because research suggests we make better choices when the eye is not distracted by the model and we show all the bra colours on the one product page so you can see them side-by-side.
Then, to help you get the size right, you can scroll down to our Fitter’s Size Guide to check your size.
If you’d like a second option, you can call the STUDIO and then make a quick and easy PHONE purchase.
And don’t forget to check if you can claim for a post-surgery compression bra on Private Health Insurance.
How Does Bra Shape Affect Fit?
As post-operative bra specialists, we’ve learnt that what a bra looks like on the model isn’t a very reliable way to tell if the Fitted Shape will suit your post operative needs.
To make it easier to compare post op compression bras, regardless of brand, this is how the shape of the Prairie Wear Hugger Luma compares with our other bras. The Fitted Shape description at the top of the page gives you a quick guide when browsing.
Length The medium bra length allows the wider underbust band to sit on the chest under the breast.
Cup Type & Shape The seamless elasticised cups mould to the post op breast shape. The elasticised fabric has a firmer feel on the skin and supports the weight of the breast, reducing tension on incisions when moving about. When used for treating lymphoedema after a mastectomy, the pocketed cup can hold a breast form, but the opening used to fit the breast form may need alteration.
Cleavage The medium height cleavage encloses the breast, stabilising implants and reducing up and down breast movement for improved wear comfort. When used for treating lymphoedema, the cleavage height allows a bra pad to be positioned on the breast for targeted compression.
Underarm Band The medium/high underarm fully supports the side of the breast and chest and usually covers underarm incisions, avoiding irritation caused by the top of the band sitting over an incision. Before transitioning to lower cut fashion bras, NewGel scar management is an option for reducing and fading scars. When targeted compression is needed to treat lymphoedema, the underarm height allows a bra pad to be positioned to the side of the breast or higher in the axilla.
Back Band The narrower back band is adjustable and, combined with an upper racerback strap configuration, evenly distributes the weight of the breast around the chest during recovery.
Straps The medium adjustable shoulder straps improve wear comfort.
What Parts of a Bra Affect Fit?
Over the many years we’ve been fitting post operative compression bras we’ve found the following parts of the Prairie Wear Hugger Luma can play an important role in achieving a good fit after breast surgery.
Fastener The front zip fastener is more suitable for surgeries with less breast swelling. The adjustable back band allows for some band size flexibility for post-operative drains and/or underbust swelling. The zip does not have a starter clip and may tend to spread and jam.
Fastener Adjustment Whilst the front zip fastener does not allow for adjustment, the back band has a sliding buckle for band adjustment.
Openable & Adjustable Straps Straps are openable and have a hook and loop clip. The sliding buckle to the back of the straps allows for strap adjustment. When fitting the bra in hospital after surgery, open and then fit the straps over the shoulder, then adjust the straps so the bra band sits on the chest below the breast fold.
Label The printed label is worn on the inside.
Why Question Bra Performance?
Why question supplier product performance and certification claims? Because we’ve learnt that marketing statements are not always verified. This is what we know about the Prairie Wear Hugger Luma.
Free of Harmful Chemicals (Latex) OEKO-TEX Ready-to-Wear Product Certificate No 2.1HCA.59324.
Australian Therapeutic Drug Administration (TGA) Approval Not found.
Material 90% Nylon, 10% Spandex.
Support Rating Claim: Medium to High Compression. Fitting experience suggests Prairie Wear’s ‘medium/high support’ rating for the Hugger Luma is reasonable.
Moisture Claim: Moisture wicking. When asked, Prairie Wear suggested this had been tested, but no information was provided.
Anti-Bacterial Claim: Antibacterial. When asked, Prairie Wear suggested this had been tested, but no information was provided.
Wash Performance Loss No claim made.
Life of a Post-Surgery Compression Bra Claim: Lasts 10 x time longer than other bras. No information found. Our observations suggest compression bras tend to stretch and lose shape and elasticity after 6-8 weeks of continuous wear. Appropriate care can extend compression bra performance.
Brand & Manufacture Canadian brand. Made in China.
BreastCare STUDIO is centrally located in the Perth suburb of Burswood. You're welcome to drop-in or call if you have any questions.
T (08) 9361 1300
E info@breastcarewa.com.au
Measure & Size Notes
In hospital after surgery isn’t the right time to find your post op compression bra isn’t a good fit.
Whilst it’s tempting to use your Fashion Bra Size, our fitting experience shows that bra size varies between Brands and between bras with the same Brand.
Your Hugger Luma After Surgery Bra Size
The Prairie Wear Hugger Luma post surgery compression bra has what we call a Product Specific (ProdSpec) Sizing Chart. Why? Because measurements used for Bra Sizing differ from other Bras, and it combines multiple Band & Cup sizes into single Bra Size (e.g. M).
That’s why we use our Prairie Wear Hugger Luma Sizing Chart to verify your Bra Size.
Your existing Above the Chest measurement doesn’t change after surgery, so it can be used to verify your post op Bra Size.
The single Bra Size (e.g. Medium) combines all Cup Sizes into a Universal Cup Size. On face value there is no need to make any adjustment for any change in your post op Cup Size.
Whilst the Universal Cup provides flexibility when the change in breast size is uncertain, it also makes the fit of the bra a little harder judge. For a smaller breast size, the cup may have a less firm fit, and for larger breast sizes, the cup will have an increasingly firm fit.
If it’s all a bit complicated, PHONE the STUDIO to talk about your post-surgery bra size. If you’ve purchased from BreastCare before, we’ll check your size and then you can make a quick and easy PHONE purchase.
Bra Measuring Tips
In the Fitting Room we use a flexible cloth tape and measure to the nearest centimetre.
If you don’t have a cloth tape, use non-stretch fabric or a belt, mark the size and then measure the length with a metal tape or ruler. Avoid string because it presses into the skin and flexible metal tapes because they wrap unevenly.
We find having someone else measure is quicker and more accurate. If self-measuring, use a mirror to check that the tape is level and wrapped firmly (but not tightly) around the body. When measuring, stand still and upright, relax, breathe out, then measure.
The Above the Chest measurement is taken over the breast whilst only wearing a fashion bra.
BreastCare STUDIO is centrally located in the Perth suburb of Burswood. You're welcome to drop-in or call if you have any questions.
T (08) 9361 1300
E info@breastcarewa.com.au
